Reversible hair clip

ABSTRACT

A reversible clip comprises a clip body having a resilient band shaped into first and second annular portions. The first annular portion has a first end attached to a center portion of the band, and the second annular portion has a second end attached to the center portion of the band generally adjacent to the first end to form a hinge configured for movement of the first and second annular portions between open and closed positions. The clip includes a plurality of decorative elements comprised of a first set decorative elements and a second set of decorative elements, wherein the first annular portion is connected to the first set of decorative elements and the second annular portion is connected to the second set of decorative elements. The clip has a rotatable clasp positioned on the first annular portion distally from the hinge and configured to releasably attach to the second annular portion distally from the hinge to hold the first and second annular portions in the closed position to retain hair or other material between the first and second annular portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/993,515, entitled “Reversible Hair Clip,” filed Sep. 11, 2007, whichis hereby fully incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to item-retainining products, and moreparticularly to clips useable to retain hair, clothing, or otherselected items.

BACKGROUND

Conventional hair retaining devices typically include a variety ofmetal, French-style barrettes, head bands, elongated clips of plasticand metal variety, claws and clamp style hair clips, snap clips,scrunchies, elastics, and hair extenders. Many conventional hairretaining devices have either interlocking metal tabs/plates for hairholding (e.g., barrettes), teeth or jaws for clasping hair (e.g., claws& clamps), and/or elastic bands to form ponytails (e.g., rubber bandmethod). Other hair retaining devices, such as clips utilize a stickholding mechanism. These conventional devices have limited versatilityand their performance often vary depending upon the thickness orcoarseness of, as an example, the wearer's hair. Accordingly, animproved retention device is needed.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a reversible clip that overcomesdrawbacks experienced in the prior art and provides additional benefits.In one aspect of the invention, a reversible clip comprises a clip bodyhaving a resilient band shaped into first and second annular portions.The first annular portion has a first end attached to a center portionof the band, and the second annular portion has a second end attached tothe center portion of the band generally adjacent to the first end. Thecenter portion of the band adjacent to the first and second ends form ahinge configured for movement of the first and second annular portionsbetween open and closed positions. The clip includes a plurality ofdecorative elements comprised of a first set decorative elements and asecond set of decorative elements, wherein the first annular portion isconnected to the first set of decorative elements and the second annularportion is connected to the second set of decorative elements. The cliphas a rotatable clasp positioned on the first annular portion distallyfrom the hinge and configured to releasably attach to the second annularportion distally from the hinge to hold the first and second annularportions in the closed position to retain hair or other material betweenthe first and second annular portions.

In another embodiment, a reversible hair clip is provided for retaininghair between first and second rings. The clip has first and second ringsformed from a single resilient wire, wherein the first and second ringsare comprised of approximately equal segments of the wire and whereinthe first and second rings form a hinge at a center portion of the wire.A clasp is positioned on the first ring approximately opposite from thehinge. The clasp releasably attaches the first ring to the second ringat a position on the second ring approximately opposite to the hinge tohold the first and second rings in a closed position.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for forming a reversibleclip. Under one aspect, the method comprises cutting a resilient band toa desired length, the band comprising first and second ends and amidpoint portion; forming a first loop at the first end of the band,wherein the first loop is at least partially open; attaching a firstplurality of decorative elements on the band extending from the firstend to the midpoint portion and attaching a second plurality ofdecorative elements on the band extending from the midpoint portion tothe second end of the band; forming a second loop at the second end ofthe band, wherein the second loop is at least partially open; directingthe first end of the band in a first direction toward the midpointportion and attaching the first loop to the midpoint portion of the bandand directing the second end of the band in a second direction oppositethe first direction toward the midpoint portion and attaching the secondloop to the midpoint portion of the band; and attaching a rotatableclasp to a portion of the band forming the first loop approximatelyopposite the center portion of the band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a reversible hair clip inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention shown worn in thehair of a wearer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of a reversible hair clip inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the clipis shown in a closed position.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic isometric views of the reversible hair clipof FIG. 2 shown in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic isometric view of a reversible clip in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the clip isshown in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of the reversible clip of FIG. 5,wherein the clip is shown in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A retention device in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention is described below and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. In accordancewith one or more embodiments, a reversible clip 10 is provided that canbe worn, for example, in a person's hair to hold their hair in place andto be decorative and reversible. The clip is configured to allow thewearer to choose which decorative side to display in the hair inconnection with their selected hair style. FIG. 1 is a schematicisometric view of a reversible hair clip 10 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention shown worn in the hair 11 of awearer.

Women with long hair typically wear hairstyles fashioned in a variety ofways. The reversible hair clip 10 in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention is useful in that the clip can hold different amountsof hair securely, it may be used in a variety of hairstyles, it providesfor easy installation and removal, it provides firm hair holdingqualities (especially for women who have fine or thin hair), and it hasa plurality of decorative options. The use of the reversible clip 10allows the wearer to pull hair away from the face, to style hair in adecorative manner, and to choose bead and color options of theornamented hair clip. In one embodiment, the clip 10 can include one ormore decorative elements, such as beads and/or charm decorations for theclip.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the reversible hair clip 10 has a flexible(but non-elastic) band 12 that is formed into a figure-8 shape thenfolded in half in a “clam-shell” configuration. When the hair clip 10 isworn, an annular appearance formed by one half of the hair clip isdisplayed in the hair. In the illustrated embodiments, the band 12 isformed by a flexible wire 13 (e.g., a flexible, non-elastic metal wire),although other suitable material could be used in other embodiments.FIGS. 2-4 are isometric views of a reversible hair clip 10 in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. The hair clip 10 has the band 12 inthe figure-8 configuration to define top and bottom annular bandportions or rings 14 and 16 in the clam-shell arrangement. The rings 14and 16 are moveable between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an openposition (FIGS. 3 and 4). The top and bottom annular rings 14 and 16 arehinged together by distal end loops 18 (FIG. 3) of the band 12 after aplurality of beads 20 have been strung onto the wire 13.

In one embodiment, multiple colorful beads 20 are strung onto the wire13 by hand. The beads 20 can be strung in the following manner toprovide a reversible clip. A center point 22 is marked on the flexiblewire 13. One set of decorative members 24, such as a selected color,shape or pattern of beads 20, can be strung to the center point 22. Adifferent set of decorative members 25, such as another color, shape orpattern of beads 20, is strung from the center point 22 to the oppositeend of the wire 13. The beads 20 are configured to put the wire 13 intension, such that the wire can be shaped into the figure-8configuration and the end loops 18 attached at the center point 22 toform a hinge 23 between the rings 14 and 16. Accordingly, the clip foldsabout the hinge in a folded figure-8 shape. A U-shaped clasp 26 with aloop end 28 is attached to non-hinged side 30 of one of the annularrings 14 or 16 (e.g, to the bottom ring 16). The U-shape clasp 26 canswivel (or rotate) 360 degrees around the flexible band 12 andreleasably engage the other ring 16 or 14.

When the beads 20 are on the wire 13, the beads work with the two endloops 18 connected to the wire's center point 22 to create tensionwithin the wire, so that the wire will retain the folded figure-8 shape.When the clip 10 is installed, the hair or other selected material isgathered in a bundle and placed in between the top and bottom annularrings 14 and 16. The swivel clasp 26 is then rotated and pushed intoplace in between beads 20 on the other annular ring, opposite the hinge23. If the swivel clasp 26 is fixed to the top ring 14, it is pushedtowards the center and inside portion of the bottom ring 16, under andthen up until it grasps the beaded bottom ring, thereby locking hairtightly between the top and bottom beaded rings. Accordingly, a selectedfirst one of the sets of beads 20 will be sitting atop the hair and willbe visible. The second or other set of beads 20 will be hidden under thehair captured between the two rings 14 and 16. The swivel clasp 26 iseasily and quickly released by pushing the top of the swivel clasp downand backwards to the inner direction of the bottom ring 16, therebyallowing the rings to move to the open position.

The hair clip 10 is reversible such that the wearer can select whichring 14 or 16 will be displayed. For example, if the clip 10 is worn sothe top ring 14 is facing out and is visible, the wearer can reverse thehair clip by removing the clip from the hair, flipping the clip over sothat the bottom ring 16 without the swivel clasp 26 is facing out. Thewearer gathers hair into a bundle and places it in between the top andbottom rings 14 and 16, moves the ring to the closed position, andpushes the swivel clasp 26 on the bottom ring inside the center and overthe top portion of the beaded top ring 14 until the clasp grasps the topring, thereby locking the hair tightly between the top and bottom beadedrings. Accordingly, the set of beads on this bottom ring 16 aredisplayed and the beads on the top ring are hidden under the hair.

As described above, the hair clip 10 can be reversed so that the top andbottom rings 14 and 16, whether ornamented in similar beads 20,different beads, or contrasting beads, can be worn with either topornamented band or bottom ornamented band displayed in the wearers hair;making the clip reversible. Further, the hair clip 10 securely holdshair securely into place and is easy to attach and remove. The hair clip10 may also be inexpensively fabricated. Additional decorative beads maybe easily attached and removed to create a more decorative display inthe hair. For example, the clip 10 in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6 include the top and bottom rings 14 and 16 with the beads20 (which act as tensioning members), the hinge 23, and the clasp 26 asdescribed above. The illustrated clip 10 also has a hanging member 40attached to one of the rings 14 or 16. In the illustrated embodiment,the hanging member 40 is a decorative feature with an attachment member42 connected to the band 12 and a plurality of beaded strands 44 hangingfrom the attachment member. The attachment member 42 can be permanentlyor removably attached to the band 12. In other embodiments, more thanone hanging member can be attached to the top and/or bottom rings 14 and16.

In one embodiment, when the clip is made, the wire 13 that supports thebeads 20 is a flexible, non-elastic band that forms into an annular band12 when in a resting, non-tensioned state. When the ends of the wire 13are pulled apart, the wire is put under tension. The beads 20 are snuglyretained between the small loops 18 are formed on each end of the band12, such that the bead help keep the wire 13 in tension. The band 12 isthen arranged into a figure-8 shape, whereby the end loops 18 are foldedin opposite directions to form the top and bottom rings 14 and 16 in thefigure-8 arrangement. The end loops 18 and the center portion 22 of thewire 13 create the hinge 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire 13extends through both end loops 18. The figure-8 shape is then folded inhalf (to form the clam-shell shape) creating the clam-shell arrangementof the top and bottom annular rings 14 and 16. The swivel clasp 26 ofone embodiment is a U-shaped hook (silver or gold plated) with a loop 28formed at point of attachment to the wire 13. The clasp 26 is rotatable360 degrees about the band 12. When the clasp 26 is engaged, it locksonto the other annular ring and holds the hair securely between the topand bottom annular rings 14 and 16.

The beads 20 can be a variety of bead shapes, color, sizes andcomposites can be used to ornament the band 12: (e.g. semi-preciousbeads, crystals, glass, etc.). Other decorative beads or bead-likestructures can be used to mount to the band/wire to provide thetensioned arrangement as discussed above.

In one embodiment, neither the clasp 26 nor the hinge 23 are plainlyvisible while the hair clip is worn in the hair, thereby creating animage of a circular pattern of beads floating in the wearer's hair.Because the hinge 23 is formed from the wire 13 itself, the beads 20adjacent to the hinge conceal the hinge arrangement. The same is true ofthe clasp 26. The clasp snaps into place between the beads 20 and it issufficiently thin or small so that the clasp is virtually unseen whenthe clip 10 is in the closed position, such as when it is worn in thehair.

The flexible wire 13 allows the wearer to use some or all of the hair ina bundle to be secured, so that a variety of hairstyles can be affixedwith a single hair clip 10. In one embodiment, the hair clip 10 isconfigured so that the wire 13 flexes such that the hair bundle beingrestrained can be varying thicknesses. This configuration is effectivefor virtually all types of hair (i.e, thin or fine hair, thick or coarsehair, straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, kinky hair, etc). Theflexible wire 13 is very durable and resilient, which allows the hairclip 10 to be worn repeatedly and in multiple uses or positions. Asindicated above, the clip 10 can be used to retrain bundles of hair,although the clip can also be used to gather and retain portions ofother things, such as portions of shirts, clothing, straps, or the like.The clip 10 of the illustrated embodiment has no elastic (which canbreak or damage hair), and it has no sharp teeth (which can cause headpain to sensitive scalps).

In one embodiment, the reversible hair clip 10 can be made as follows.The flexible wire 13 in a relaxed state takes the shape of circle; it isspring like. The flexible wire 13 is cut to desired length and pulledstraight (i.e., it is tension filled, it pulls to go back to the circleshape). A center mark is made on the halfway or middle point of the wirelength. Using a suitable tool, such as heavy-duty rosary pliers, thesmall loop 18 is made at one end of the wire 13. Selected beads 20 arestrung onto wire 13 between the small loop 18 and up to the markedcenter point 22 of the wire. Different beads 20 are strung from thecenter point 22 to the other end of the wire 13. Using the heavy-dutyrosary pliers (or other suitable tool), a small loop 18 is made at theother end of the wire 13. At this point, if the wire 13 is left at itsrelaxed state, the wire would retain its circular shape and you wouldsee one set of beads 20 in a semi-circle and the other set of beads inthe other semi-circle.

The end loops 18 are folded in towards the marked center point inopposite directions. In one embodiment, the loops 18 are slightly openedup so as to receive the wire 13 substantially at the center point 22.Accordingly, the wire extends through the loops at the center point andare closed again to securely retain the wire within the loops. The wire13 with the beads 20 form the figure-8 shape, wherein one annular ring14/16 of the figure-8 includes one set of beads 20 on one half of theband 12 (i.e., or color or type of beads on ½ of the wire), and thesecond annular ring 16/14 of the figure-8 includes the other set ofbeads on the other half of the wire, and the rings are hinged togetherat the center point 22. Because of the flexible nature of the wire 13 inthe figure-8 shape and with the hinge mechanism the relaxed state, theclip 10 is in the open position (as shown in FIGS. 3-5).

The U-shaped clasp 26 of the illustrated embodiment is permanently androtatably attached to the wire 13 distal to the hinge 23 on one of theannular rings 14 or 16. The clasp 26 can be mounted to either the top orbottom ring 14 or 16 because it's reversible. The clasp 26 can rotate360°, which also allows for the clip's reversibility. In the illustratedembodiment, the clasp 26 is designed to the smallest size possible andit can rotate completely around the wire 13 so the clasp can releasablyengage the other ring without being unsightly and allowing for areversible decorative function. Additional decorative elements can beattached to the annular rings, or the clasp to provide other appealingfeatures of the clip.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. A reversible hairclip, the hairclip comprising: a hairclip bodycomprising a resilient wire shaped into a first annular portioncomprising a first end attached to a center portion of the wire and asecond annular portion comprising a second end attached to the centerportion of the wire; a hinge comprised of the center portion of the wiremember; a plurality of beads comprised of a first selection of beads anda second selection of beads, wherein the first annular portion isthreaded through the first selection of beads and the second annularportion is threaded through the second selection of beads; and arotatable clasp, wherein the clasp is positioned on the first annularportion distally from the hinge and attaches to the second annularportion distally from the hinge to retain hair between the first andsecond annular portions.
 2. The hairclip of claim 1 wherein the firstselection of beads forms a first pattern and the second selection ofbeads forms a second pattern different from the first pattern such thatthe first pattern is displayed when the first annular portion facesoutward from the hair retained in the hairclip and the second pattern isdisplayed when the second annular portion faces outward from the hairretained in the hairclip.
 3. The hairclip of claim 1 wherein theplurality of beads comprise at least one different shape, color, orgeometry.
 4. The hairclip of claim 1 wherein the plurality of beads atleast partially increases friction with the hair retained between thefirst and second annular portions to retain the hair in the hairclip. 5.The hairclip of claim 1 wherein the first and second ends of the wireare looped around the center portion of the wire.
 6. The hairclip ofclaim 1 wherein the wire is the only wire forming the body of thehairclip.
 7. The hairclip of claim 1 wherein the clasp comprises au-shape and is at least partially covered by the hair retained in thehairclip.
 8. The hairclip of claim 1 wherein the hinge is at leastpartially covered by the hair retained in the hairclip.
 9. The hairclipof claim 1, further comprising one or more decorations releasablyattached to the first or second annular portions.
 10. The hairclip ofclaim 1, further comprising a resilient force created by a orientationof the first and second annular portions, wherein the resilient force atleast partially resists attaching the clasp to the second annularportion.
 11. A reversible hair clip for retaining hair between first andsecond rings, the hairclip comprising: first and second rings formedfrom a single resilient wire, wherein the first and second rings arecomprised of approximately equal segments of the wire and wherein thefirst and second rings form a hinge at a center portion of the wire; anda clasp positioned on the first ring approximately opposite from thehinge, wherein the clasp attaches the first ring to the second ring at aposition on the second ring approximately opposite to the hinge toretain the hair between the first and second rings.
 12. The hairclip ofclaim 11 wherein the approximately equal segments of wire comprise: afirst segment that is directed in a first direction toward the centerportion of the wire and a first end of the wire that is attached to thecenter portion of the wire, and a second segment that is directed in asecond direction toward the center of the wire and a second end of thewire that is attached to the center portion of the wire, wherein thesecond direction is generally opposite the first direction and aresulting orientation of the rings created by the directed first andsecond segments creates a repulsive force, wherein the repulsive forceat least partially resists attaching the clasp to the second ring. 13.The hairclip of claim 11 further comprising a first plurality of beadsstrung on the first ring and a second plurality of beads strung on thesecond ring.
 14. The hairclip of claim 13 wherein a design formed by thefirst plurality of beads differs from a design formed by a secondplurality of beads.
 15. The hairclip of claim 13 wherein the first andsecond plurality of beads at least partially grip the hair retainedbetween the first and second rings.
 16. The hairclip of claim 11 whereinthe clasp swivels about the position on the first ring approximatelyopposite from the hinge.
 17. The hairclip of claim 11 wherein the claspis generally not visible when the clasp is attached to the second ringand the hair is retained in the hairclip.
 18. The hairclip of claim 11wherein the hinge is generally not visible when the hair is retained inthe hairclip.
 19. A method of forming a reversible hairclip, the methodcomprising: cutting a resilient wire to a desired length, the wirecomprising first and second ends and a midpoint portion; forming a firstloop at the first end of the wire, wherein the first loop is at leastpartially open; stringing a first plurality of beads on the wireextending from the first end to the midpoint portion and stringing asecond plurality of beads on the wire extending from the midpointportion to the second end of the wire; forming a second loop at thesecond end of the wire, wherein the second loop is at least partiallyopen directing the first end of the wire in a first direction toward themidpoint portion and closing the first loop around the midpoint portionof the wire and directing the second end of the wire in a seconddirection opposite the first direction toward the midpoint portion andclosing the second loop around the midpoint portion of the wire; andattaching a rotatable clasp to a position on the first loopapproximately opposite the center portion of the wire.
 20. The method ofclaim 19 wherein directing the first and second ends in the first andsecond directions respectively creates a biasing force in the hairclip,wherein the biasing force at least partially impedes moving the firstloop proximate to the second loop to attach the clasp to a position onthe second loop approximately opposite the center portion of the wire.